Well I apologize if I’m coming off angry and rude . Yes I should have done my research more clearly. I understand this and I’m not putting the blame on Fauna . To be honest I found out what bOI was after I made the purchase . I find myself pretty good at picking out scammers . This individual knows his stuff about reptiles plus talking to him on the phone made me feel even more at ease . I personally had a fire in my house in October lost 5 snakes and my 3 year old Savannah monitor. So yes I was alittle quick to pull the trigger . I got scammed .

No, I can't provide a link. He said as soon as I paid, he would mark it sold, but he just took the whole ad down.

I absolutely agreed. He gave me the breeders name (and it was reputable). He knew his stuff and had answers to all my questions. My mistake for being new and jumping to the gun. He is definitely on here laughing. He has replied to all of my text messages until I started posting on here a few hours ago.

What was the ad for? What were you attempting to buy?

The two quotes above are saying two different things.
Are there posts with BOTH the name AND number? (people share similar names)
OR
Do you simply see a name or something "similar" that you think is the same person. 'If' you can find where in 2010 the same person and SAME phone number appear please copy and paste that link here for me to follow.

Florida Box Turtles

This has been stated time and time again, but for those that don't know... PayPal offer buyers protection but not to those who cheat their system.

By paying for an animal as part of a transaction (buyer & seller), that is 'not' sending money to your 'friend or family'. Taking this option cheats PayPal out of their fees. No fees, no protection to you. After all, who needs buyers protection if you were really sending money to dear ol' mom?

PayPal states clearly which option protects you. A scammer might be good. A scammer might really, really good... however taking the time to read a few sentences on PayPal's site falls back upon the shoulders of the person sending the money.

Is this the ad in question?
Notice that you posted your phone number (blurred by me), exposed for both members and non-members viewing the site to see?
If I was a scammer, I simply see your phone number, call/text you, pretend to be Jeremy. You believe you are texting or talking to the real Jeremy Thompson, but you are not. The scammer simply assumes the name of person who was really selling the animal you wanted.

"very interested" = more susceptible to a scam.

I am so sorry for your loss, that is devastating. The BOI helps prevent some of these scams but you have to do a search before you buy.
And if I could give some advice please, don't even ever deal with anyone in a business transaction that suggests you pay friends/family. Not only does it leave you without protection, but it is unethical to deprive PayPal of its fees when it is helping you with your business transactions. Those fees are how the PayPal employees make their living and feed their family.

There are a lot of very very good deals on Fauna, genuine good deals from genuine Good Guy sellers. It just takes some effort to weed out the Bad Guys and as you say, some of the Bad Guys know their stuff and they are really slick.

I hope that in the future you once again have a nice beautiful collection that brings you happiness.

Did this person send you pictures Megan?